Groundhog Day!

Groundhog Fun Facts

Each year on February 2 since 1887, thousands of revelers climb atop Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, (northcentral part of the state) to witness the prediction of Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog with the mythical ability of forecasting either an early spring or lengthier winter. With the help of his keepers and protectors, the tuxedo-clad members of the mysterious Inner Circle, Phil shares that annual prediction with the world from the heart of the region appropriately known as the Pennsylvania Wilds.

If Phil sees his shadow, he predicts six more weeks of winter and returns to his burrow. If he does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner.

Crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler’s Knob for a multiday festival celebrating the town’s most famous resident – Punxsutawney Phil.

This legend has European Roots

The custom dates back to the early days of Christianity in Europe and grew out of a winter festival called Candlemas Day, a day for clergy to bless and distribute candles. According to legend, clear skies on Candlemas Day meant an extended winter.

The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, brought this tradition to the Germans, who concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, a hedgehog would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather or “Second Winter.”

In Germany, the hedgehog became part of the legend. The German twist was that on a clear, sunny day, the hedgehog would cast a shadow.

How the legend continued in Pennsylvania

Some of Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers were German, and they noted a large population of groundhogs. Because of its resemblance to the European hedgehog, the groundhog carried on the tradition.

In 1887, a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves "The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club."

The editor of Punxsutawney's newspaper was a member of the Club and he used his editorial clout to proclaim that Phil, the Punxsutawney groundhog, was the one and only official weather prognosticating groundhog.

Phil's fame began to spread, and newspapers from around the globe began to report Punxsutawney Phil's predictions.

Fun Facts

During Prohibition, Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter if he didn’t get a drink.

In 1981, Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honor of American hostages in Iran.

In 1986, he visited President Reagan in Washington, D.C.

In 1993, Columbia Pictures released the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.

In 1995, Phil was on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

In 2001, Phil enjoyed a tour of New York City including appearances on Regis Philbin Live, the CBS Early Show, and CNN. His prediction was broadcast live on the Times Square jumbotron.

In 2003, Governor Edward G. Rendell was the first Pennsylvania Governor to participate in the Annual Trek to Gobbler's Knob with the Inner Circle.

Phil is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan; he sported a Terrible Towel in 2009 to celebrate the team’s Sixth Super Bowl victory.

Groundhog Facts

• The average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long.

• Groundhogs are covered with coarse grayish hairs (fur) tipped with brown or sometimes dull red. They have short ears, a short tail, short legs, and are surprisingly quick. Their jaws are exceptionally strong.

• A groundhog's diet consists of lots of greens, fruits, and vegetables and very little water. Most of their liquids come from dewy leaves.

• A groundhog can whistle when it is alarmed. Groundhogs also whistle in the spring when they begin courting.

• Insects do not bother groundhogs and germs pretty much leave them alone. They are resistant to the plagues that periodically wipe out large numbers of wild animals. One reason for this is their cleanliness.

• Groundhogs are one of the few animals that really hibernate. Hibernation is actually a deep coma, where the body temperature drops to a few degrees above freezing, the heart barely beats, the blood scarcely flows, and breathing nearly stops.

• Young groundhogs are usually born in mid-April or May, and by July they are able to go out on their own. The size of the litter is four to nine. A baby groundhog is called a kit or a cub.

• A groundhog's life span is normally six to eight years. Phil receives a drink of a magical punch every summer during the annual Groundhog Picnic, which gives him seven more years of life.

This information is provided courtesy of Groundhog Day, the official website of the Punxsutawney Grounhog Club.

Like to have your own Groundhog Party? Here's a dinner menu sure to please: Groundhog Day Menu

Local Attractions

Punxsutawney is among the quaint towns, untamed wilderness that host a myriad of events that take place year round in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center
~ Interactive education center devoted to weather science and folklore
~ Housed in Punxsutawney’s former post office downtown, a beautiful 1914 structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Groundhog Zoo
~ Phil’s official home is a terrarium built in the Punxsutawney Memorial Library open to the public

The Phantastic Phils! public art project
~ 32 larger-than-life fiberglass groundhogs by local and national artists located throughout town

Pantall Hotel
~ Restored 1888 hotel celebrates Groundhog Day every day of the year

Manhoning Shadow Trail
~ 15.5-mile long multi-use trail perfect for hiking, biking and skiing

Groundhog Wine Trail
~ Features nine wineries in the surrounding area